How to cheer someone up (with pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Everyone gets sad from time to time. Cheering someone up means deciding to listen to a person and empathize with them, helping them see the situation they are experiencing from a different perspective. This article contains practical and very useful tips that will allow you to be a good support for someone who is going through a difficult time.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Listening and Understanding

Step 1. Listen to who you are in front of

Very often sad or stressed people are not looking for an answer, but a person who listens to them and with whom they can let off steam. Do you know the reason for her sadness? Does it seem like he wants to share his feelings with you? Sit close together, and offer a smile or, if necessary, a shoulder to cry on.

• Avoid interrupting while talking. Unless a pause tells you that your intervention would be welcome, limit your comments to a few hints. Otherwise you risk appearing rude and possibly worsening the mood of the person you want to help.
• Even if you can't fully understand their point of view or aren't really interested in the subject, make an effort to sound involved. Remember that the more you seem involved in the problem, the more you will seem interested in the person in front of you; isn't this the result you want to achieve? People often need someone to take care of them. That's exactly what you should be able to convey.
• Make sure that your interlocutor does not feel a burden. Many times people avoid confiding in someone so as not to seem heavy or overwhelming. So, if necessary, let him know that you are happy to listen and, if you can, give some advice.

Step 2. Ask appropriate questions

The best way to get into a conversation is to ask questions, especially about the other person's feelings. The questions, however, must be appropriate. If they have nothing to do with the person's problem, you will only comfort them, dissuade them from opening up.

• Here are some good general questions to ask a person who needs to be cheered up. With any luck, they'll persuade her to talk about her feelings, and help her let off steam:

  • "How does this make you feel?"
  • "Has this ever happened to you before?"
  • "Is there anyone in particular you could turn to for advice?"
  • "What to do when the time comes to make a decision?"
  • "Can I help you?" (Be ready to do it!)

  

  Step 3. Try to put yourself in the person's shoes as much as possible without taking their attention away

  If you believe that sharing a similar experience of yours can help, do so without shifting the spotlight on yourself. Try to let her know how even a difficult experience helped you learn something important.

  Relating to a person is based on how you say something rather than what you say. If someone tells you that their father has been diagnosed with a serious illness, avoid sharing similar experiences in your life or in the life of someone you know. Just let him know that you can understand the emotions and feelings he is having and that you know this is a very painful situation and not at all easy to deal with

  

  Step 4. After listening, try to give advice if asked

  Try to understand what the problem is and take a moment to think before expressing your opinion on what is best to do. If you think you can have a possible solution, let us know, but if not, try to be honest. Maybe take it to another person who is more able to be helpful.

  • Remember that a problem rarely has a single solution. Do what you can to give the person a choice, reminding them that there are certainly others. Don't forget to add the words "maybe" and "could be" to your suggestions. That way he won't feel guilty if he decides to go down a different path.
  • Try to be honest. The worst thing you can do to help a momentarily fragile person is to lie. If you are talking about serious problems, make an effort to tell the truth, even if it can be painful. If, on the other hand, you are cheering up a friend dumped by her partner, do not hesitate to agree with her even if she may not have it. In this case, making her feel good is more important than telling her the truth.
  • Be careful about giving unsolicited or unwelcome advice. The other person may not want them, and if they wanted to follow your advice and it didn't work, they would certainly blame you.

  

  Step 5. Meet in person

  While technology makes life better and easier, sometimes it can also make things a little more complicated. You may be tempted to send him a nice message, but it may not be enough. It's definitely better to show him that you really care by giving him support in person. Considering how much time is spent in life in front of a screen, taking the time for a face-to-face meeting has a strong meaning.

  Traditional mail is becoming something almost romantic - it really communicates a lot of thoughtfulness. E-cards can work too, but if you want to make a really nice gesture, put a postcard in the mailbox. He will surely be surprised

  Part 2 of 3: Offer Gestures of Kindness

  

  Step 1. Make a gift

  Remember when was the last time someone gave you a gift without being obligated? How did you feel when it happened? Giving someone an unexpected gift can brighten their entire day and make them understand that it is the gesture, rather than the gift itself, that counts.

  • To excite, a gift does not have to be expensive, nor necessarily be something material. Share with this person a secret place of yours, the one where you take refuge when you need to think, or teach them to create an object with origami. Often even a small gesture can be invaluable.
  • Offer an object dear to you as a gift. An old family memory or a souvenir to which you have attached emotions can be the symbol of life that flows and continues, even when it seems difficult to imagine a tomorrow.

  

  Step 2. Try to make him smile

  Remind him how much you care and smile reassuringly. If you think it's appropriate, try tickling too!

  

  Step 3. Make him laugh

  Funny jokes and jokes are always great to play down after a problem has been talked about for a long time. Even if it's not the funniest story ever told, it'll be fine if told at the right time.

  Make fun of yourself. Making fun of the person you're trying to cheer up is not a good idea, much better to do self-irony: emphatically and jokingly tell your bad moments and the times you got embarrassed. A little humor will be appreciated

  

  Step 4. Surprise him

  Giving gifts at Christmas and for birthdays, not to mention Valentine's Day or other holidays, is something that is taken for granted. But being equally thoughtful on any day of the year will be something they will never expect. When they are unexpected, gifts take on more meaning.

  Think about what that person loves more than anything else, and consider giving him this surprise. Maybe he loves cooking; so have a surprise dinner, or take her to a cooking class. Perhaps he loves movies and musicals instead, in this case surprise him with an invitation to the cinema or by giving him tickets to a show

  

  Step 5. Try to distract him

  After listening to him, advising him, and kindly offering your help, make sure the situation doesn't depress him further. Don't screw it up by suddenly changing the subject and talking about something else inappropriately, give him some time to recover and then try saying something like "Do you want to hear a funny thing?" and watch her reactions.

  Use your sensitivity to gauge how far you have come in the "cheering" process. If your friend is still whining, it means that this is not the time to ask if he wants to know how your day went. But if he has only had a fight with his mother and seems to have calmed down, try to guess it. It is only a matter of time

  

  Step 6. Change environment

  Very often we let ourselves be influenced by what surrounds us and let external stimuli determine our mood. If you have to cheer someone up, take them out! Having a variety of different stimuli will encourage different thoughts and new - better - ways of thinking.

  You don't necessarily have to take it to the club or bar. Socialization is not always the right answer. Heck, a walk among the dogs in your city park could elicit enough tenderness to lighten his mind. Anything that can distract him is a good idea, whether he wants to be in his pajamas or not

  Part 3 of 3: Doing Your Part

  

  Step 1. Hug him if he is comfortable with physical contact

  Some people, when angry or sad, may refuse contact, but that's okay. A warm hug, in any case, can improve anyone's day,

  

  Step 2. Give your all

  While we can't all be great cooks, comedians or singers, each of us has something they do well. Whatever it is, use it to cheer up your friend. Can you make lasagna? Great - it's time for dinner somewhere. Are you able to draw a dilapidated house on the slopes of a suggestive mountain? Very good. These skills of yours can also be useful in making someone happy.

  Use your creativity and your delicacy to dampen his sadness. Sing a song out loud. Take him on a hike. Show him the soft side of your personality. What is your hidden talent? Use it

  

  Step 3. Be optimistic

  Focus on the bright side of life and the glass half full. Optimism is a state of mind and a way of life, and when used correctly, it can be contagious. Open yourself to the many interesting and exciting opportunities that the other person may not have considered while they were too busy being pessimistic.

  • Each problem has its positive side. Sometimes we can't see it, but it's there. Here are some practical examples:

    • My partner left me. "Having someone close to you who doesn't fully appreciate you isn't what you really want. You will soon find someone who knows how special you are and who deserves to have you around."
    • A person I loved has passed away. "Death is a part of life. While it is impossible to bring the person back, you can rejoice in how much it meant to your life and, probably, how much you meant to his. Be grateful for the time you spent with him."
    • I lost my job. "Your work is an important part of you, but it doesn't represent you totally, you are more. Reflect on the lessons learned during your working days and apply them to the new experiences you will have. Finding a job means being able to demonstrate that you can work harder than anyone else. Be motivated and show your potential employers your unique qualities."
    • I have no faith in myself. "You have so much to be proud of. Remember that each of us has strengths and weaknesses that make us unique and wonderful. I like you just the way you are. I see no reason why you shouldn't be proud of yourself."
    • I don't know what the problem is, I just know that I'm not well. "It's normal to feel down every now and then. Sad moments make happy moments even more special. Don't try hard if you don't feel like it, but remember how many things you have to be happy about and how much luckier you are than many other people."

    

    Step 4. Don't be sad

    If you're down in the dumps, how can you think of cheering up your friend? Find a balance between worry - you want him to understand that you are sorry that he is not happy - and optimism - a positive person, who sees the glass as half full. It's very demanding and can be emotionally tearing, but for your friend it's worth it, isn't it?

    • Help him and do everything possible for him; it will make him understand that there is someone who loves him. This way you will build a relationship of trust. He'll know he can count on you. Behave this way, always and with a smile.
    • Offer to have your child entertained by doing an activity, such as going to the movies, going for a walk, swimming, or playing. If he doesn't want to get distracted, don't pressure: you can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. Show yourself cheerful, present and available until he wants to solve his problems or forget them.

    

    Step 5. Understand that sometimes people need to be sad

    There are people who benefit far more than others from a day of sadness - for them, it provides an opportunity to reflect, introspect, and recharge. Your friend may just need to gather his strength and start over. If that's your request, please respect it. It's not up to you to fix things. Over time, they will settle down on their own.

    Also, there are times when people should be sad. It is not logical to expect a person whose father died three months ago will suddenly recover. Each person is different and the duration of pain is as unique as their fingerprints are. If a person continues to suffer after a certain event, all you can do is stay close to them. It is an action that is worth a thousand words

    Advice

    • Hug him, if it doesn't make you uncomfortable. Forcing a hug can only make the situation worse.
    • Tell him a joke or watch something funny!
    • Write a loving letter or postcard that reminds him how much you consider him a good friend, and how much you love him.

    • Some gift ideas:

      • A scented candle
      • Some chocolate!
      • An ironic certificate regarding the achievement of some "enterprise". For example, if he broke up with the girl and is sad about it, give a certificate titled "The Heartbreaking Story of the Year" (only do so if he is able to accept it).